This post contains spoilers for Steel Ball Run.
2026 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for anime fans. Throughout the year, fans will be treated to amazing titles that are bound to keep them busy for months. There will be plenty of new titles trying to make a name for themselves, but at the same time, several old anime will be making their return.
JoJo: Steel Ball Run Releases New Trailer And Fans Are Already Worried
The latest Steel Ball Run trailer has polarized fans.
In January 2026, viewers will get to enjoy Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2. Both anime have a massive fan base, and they're eager to watch their favorite characters after a long wait. While JJK Season 3 and Frieren Season 2 are prime contenders to be crowned Anime of the Year, there is one title that stands head and shoulders above them.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run Is 2026's Biggest Anime
- Steel Ball Run manga is highly rated
- The anime is being produced by David Production
The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime is returning after an absence of nearly four years. Stone Ocean was the last part t o be animated, and following its conclusion, David Production knew it had to get started on Steel Ball Run. However, the studio did not share any updates for a long time, which made fans a tad anxious. Thankfully, in 2025, Netflix confirmed that the Steel Ball Run anime would be released in 2026.
The social media accounts associated with the JoJo franchise and Netflix shared new trailers, visuals, and character designs. All these gave fans a glimpse of what they could expect from the Steel Ball Run anime. In case fans don't want to trust the trailers, they can just wait and watch the anime directly, as Netflix has already shared the release date for the Steel Ball Run anime.
JoJo fans can watch the SBR anime on March 19th, 2026. It has been confirmed that the first episode will premiere on the aforementioned date, and it will have a runtime of 47 minutes. It also seems that Netflix is abandoning its approach of releasing the episodes in batches. Otherwise, the streaming platform would have worded it differently.
It would be remiss not to mention that many fans despised Stone Ocean's release schedule, mainly because it ruined the hype for the anime. A weekly release schedule means fans get the opportunity to talk about the episode that aired within the same week and discuss the one that will be released subsequently. Hopefully, Netflix will provide fans with an answer in the coming weeks.
Steel Ball Run Is A Phenomenal Manga
Since JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is divided into different parts, viewers who have no prior experience with the series will want to know if they can start with Steel Ball Run. The answer is both yes and no. Steel Ball Run takes place in an alternate universe, so it's not entirely tied to the previous parts. So fans don't need to watch them to understand the story fully. But at the same time, there are several references to older characters, which will go over viewers' heads if they haven't watched the previous six parts.
Steel Ball Run Anime Might Overtake Frieren On MyAnimeList
When Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 1 aired, fans couldn't help but applaud the quality of the work, for which Madhouse deserves immense credit. It is widely considered to be the pinnacle of storytelling and world-building. However, there are certain manga that can easily compete with Frieren, and Steel Ball Run is among them.
JoJo Fans Are Worried About Steel Ball Run After Netflix Acquired Warner Bros
Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Could put Steel Ball Run in jeopardy.
For starters, Steel Ball Run is the second-highest-rated manga on MyAnimeList, only behind Kentaro Miura's Berserk. The ratings are based on user reviews, so while not definite, they shouldn't be ignored either. Logically, if a story of Steel Ball Run's quality is given the same treatment by the studio, it could easily upend Frieren from the top spot. Naturally, a lot will be riding on the shoulders of David Production, but fans needn't fret, as the studio has always delivered top-notch adaptations, and Steel Ball Run won't be different either.
What Is Steel Ball Run About?
Steel Ball Run follows the life of Johnny Joestar, a paraplegic who has fallen from grace. Johnny used to be a star jockey before an accident robbed him of his ability to walk. He was shunned by everyone and ultimately faded into obscurity. Things were looking bleak, but that changed when Johnny met Gyro Zeppeli.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 3, 2020
- Network
- TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC
Cast
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Junya EnokiYuji Itadori -
Yuichi NakamuraSatoru Gojo
